Olympiacos were looking to take home advantage against Fiorentina in Athens in the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League final.
It was a home advantage that made all the difference for the Piraeus-based club, which made the short trip to the AEK Arena, the stadium belonging to bitter domestic rival AEK Athens.
Olympiacos coach José Luis Mendilibar won the Europa League with Sevilla last season and Fiorentina returned to the competition’s final, where they fell short in 2022/23.
Vincenzo Italiano’s Viola were trying to win their first European trophy since lifting the now-defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1960/61, their only success in five attempts in UEFA finals.
Who won the 2024 Europa Conference League final?
Olympiacos Won the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League final. They beat Fiorentina 1-0 in Athens after extra time and became the first Greek team to win a major European title.
After a competitive but somewhat tense first 90 minutes, in which clear chances were rare, the Greek team struck the decisive blow with five minutes left in extra time. Ayoub El Kaabi timed his run through the Fiorentina box well to receive a bouncing cross from Santiago Hezze and head the ball into the net, sending the stands into delirium.
History made! Olympiacos becomes the first Greek team to win a European title ??? pic.twitter.com/I4Zof2LnDt
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2024
Olympiacos survived an onslaught of pressure in the closing stages to claim a famous victory – the 47-time Greek champions had never before won a major European trophy – while coach Mendilibar celebrated further continental success just a year after leading Sevilla to Europa League glory.
For Fiorentina, it was more distressing. The Viola lost to West Ham in last season’s final and have now failed to win five of the six UEFA finals in which they have played.
Previous Europa Conference League winners
Roma They won the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022/23, with Nicolo Zaniolo scoring the only goal for José Mourinho’s side in a 1-0 win over Feyenoord, managed by new Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Fiorentina fell at the final hurdle last season, losing 2-1 to western ham England striker Jarrod Bowen scored the winning goal in the final minute.
